Here are some tips to help your rabbit(s) through the hot weather:
- Ice. I swear you can never have enough. Freeze your water bottles(Recycling! =] ) and cheap tupper ware containers. Believe me, it helps so much! Remember: some rabbits like to chew, so stock up on those recycled water bottles!
- WATER. Always have a fresh, clean bowl of water out for your rabbits. Remember, water takes on the temperature around it, so either stick a frozen water bottle in it or add ice to keep it cool.
- Gatorade powder. Say what?! Yes. Just add enough to give the water a little flavoring. That's all you need. Gatorade has a lot of sugar, so in moderation, this powder can give your rabbits an extra boost with much needed electrolytes.
- Frozen water bottles. It won't hurt to freeze spare bottles. They melt faster than you think on a hot day, so create a good rotation system.
- Shade. Rabbits must be able to get out of the sun. It's a fur suit that they can't take off! So if we are going to take a domestic animal that naturally borrows to keep cool, you should be able to provide an adequate replacement.
- Fans. You can go buy any fan you want or just buy a bunch of box fans. Doesn't matter. Keep good air flow.
- Misting & Spray bottles. At Tractor Supply, you can buy a misting system for $25 or you can get a spray bottle and mist your rabbits over yourself. Doesn't matter. With a spray bottle,spray their ears! It's a natural cooling system for them.
- Clean. Don't have a gross rabbitry. Manure makes is humid and uncomfortable for your rabbit.
- Expect to spend your day at home. Yep. No meeting with friend for lunch.
- If is absolutely horrific outside, bring your rabbits in. You know exactly what your rabbit/rabbits can and cannot handle. Try to always have enough carriers to bring your rabbits in if the weather becomes to inhabitable. Know the signs of Heat Stress!
- Watch the humidity level! It could be 85,but you must factor in humidity. It can kill a rabbit no problem.